Monday, April 19, 2010

J.Crew Email: Your spring-into-summer dress

"Thanks!" to Marietta, who shared the following email from J.Crew this morning.

The email features the Jessie Cotton Dress (Item 25508; $69.50), which is described as:
A great easy tank dress, dressed with a delicate ruffle and a subtle touch of texture (the bodice is slub cotton; the skirt, cotton lawn). Scoopneck. Self ruffles along armholes. Hits above knee; 17" from natural waist.
The dress is nice, although I do think the price tag is a bit high for such a simple dress (in terms of style & fabric).

For some reviews & real-life images, check out the following great places:
What are your thoughts on this dress? Have you tried it on or purchased it? If so, please share! :)

27 comments:

  1. I really liked this dress. I tried it on in the Muted Grape and sized down to a Small. It was a perfect fit. Not tight on me at all and the length, for me, was right above my knee.

    I wanted to buy it but I totally agree about the price. I have two similar ones from Target's Converse One Star line and bought them for only $25.

    Of course, once it goes on sale, the Muted Grape, or any color, is mine.

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  2. IMO, lately JC's price points are just too high for the quality, especially when you can get very similar styles elsewhere for less than half. I'd be willing to pay if I knew that the dress would be able to make it through the summer into next year (heck, or just one round of laundry) but there are just too many unfinished edges and too-thin fabrics everywhere. It's too bad, because the style is cute.

    Seems like everybody's quality/fit/sizing is taking a nosedive lately (just check out Talbots FB page, or BR customer reviews) - if an article of clothing isn't going to last whether it's ON, BR, AT or JC, I'd like to pay as little as possible for it.

    /end stream-of-consciousness rant

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  3. I have this dress in slate. Took my normal size, small. It is a touch shorter than the nearly identical slub cottage dress that was out last year, which for me is kind of a bummer, but it's not obscenely short. I found it to fit a bit smaller than the cottage dress as well, but in a way that was complementary (the cottage at its worst looks rather like a bag; not so for jessie!). I love it. It's very comfortable and flattering, and the ruffle details add a nice touch.

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  4. I find that the dresses and skirts JCrew are putting out now are too short for me. I am so glad I stocked up on years past and bought multiple colors of knit dresses and skirts. For the price point AND mainly length I won't be looking at JCrew dresses much until this fad passes.

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  5. I think this dress is really cute, but it's definitely priced too high...I'd consider it on sale though. :)

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  6. It's too short for me to even consider it.

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  7. I bought this dress in black awhile back and I really like it even though I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. One thing I noticed is that the skirt part of the dress is or can be sheer depending on lighting since there is no lining and material is a bit thin. My thought was that I could add a liner and maybe pockets too.

    The length of the skirt hits at the knees; I'm 5'1".

    I agree with other JCAs - this dress is pricey for something that is very light and 100% cotton. I'm hoping that this will go on sale soon enough so I can get either Grey or Muted Grape.......or even Shadow >_>. Tough decision!

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  8. I loved this dress, but had to size down to an XS. It's really light, comfortable and flattering!

    The purple was so pretty, but like others I think it's just too expensive for how thin the material is. I'm hoping that I'll catch it on a sale.

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  9. It's too pricey for me for what it is. I also think it would look like shapeless doodoo on me. :-/ Pass!

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  10. Hi all!

    Another question-

    Dotted Playa Dress. Pretty? Not? Flattering? Not? It's only available online and in the catalog, so I'm not so up for buying it without trying it on. Thoughts? Flattering? Cute? How short? TTS?

    Thanks loves :)

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  11. This is completely off-topic, but does anyone know when the next Rewards Card is being sent out?

    Thanks!

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  12. I saw it at the store but didn't try it on. It seemed very thin and considering it's not so unique it's not worth FP for me. I may try it when it goes on sale.
    However, this style reminds me of something for people in their teens and early twenties...

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  13. I tried this one, but it looked ridiculous on my 26C chest. I loved last year's version, but this one is not for my body shape. I'm still waiting on the perfect knit dress for me.

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  14. oops, I meant 36 C chest. :) I can only wish to be a 26! :D

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  15. I agree with what a lot have already said. Too pricey, too thin, too un-original, way too short!
    I truly wonder who J Crew is marketing to these days? 13-21 year olds? It seems the hem lines have been creeping up and up. They've pretty much cropped me out of the running for most dresses and skirts. And I'm only 5'9"! I'd say that's not obscenely tall by any stretch. I just want a skirt or dress I can wear in public without being arrested for indecent exposure.

    I love a short youthfull dress as much as the next gal, but when the cheeks peak,I pass. I wonder how the glamazon models in the catalog pull if off? Do they make special longer samples for the models to wear for the shoot? Becasue I know with a model's measurements, there's no way most of the Crew's dresses would look appropriate.

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  16. I own this dress (bought it during the 20% off dresses sale). I love it. It fits perfectly - true to size for me. It is very thin, so it will only be a summer dress. I love the way the neckline looks. Well worth it for me, as it will likely be a go-to dress this summer.

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  17. Vince, the rewards period ended March 30, and the cards are usually mailed out at the end of the next month. So, soon!!

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  18. I would consider this dress if the bottom were also jersey. The skirt is a bit stiff-looking. Maybe if it`s an incredible deal down the road...

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  19. Just got an email from my PS. She said new arrivals were arriving a week early and will be here this Thursday! Said they will be getting a ton of merchandise! Woo hoo, I can't wait!

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  20. this is such a cheap looking dress. $70? pssh.

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  21. very thin, cheap looking and feeling, in my opinion. very disappointing!!

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  22. Kelly Ann -
    The dotted playa dress... it's pretty or maybe "sweet" is more the word, as that's the feeling I get with polka dots. Flattering? Not the most - as it is very volumous in the middle. All in all, it is okay - not to die for, but also not the worst I've ever seen. I am a navy and white freak (LOVE it in any combo!) so I had to have it - I especially love it with my Burnished Olive Jackie Cardigan, Shocking Pink cardigan or light purple cardigan...and definitely belted. If you don't belt with the cardigan, it would be shapeless and add weight. If you don't layer on top, you can get away with no belt as it's supposed to be a looser, summery fit (esp with fabric type).

    Another thing - the straps are too long, in my opinion. I originally ordered a 4, had to return and try a 2. The straps are still long and to me, it looks like it'd be a pain to alter with how they loop through the back. But, as long as I'm wearing it under cardigan right now, it's not a big deal. When summer comes, then I'll deal with straps.

    Hope this helps!

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  23. I saw it on a friend last weekend and was very unimpressed. It looks thin and cheap. Definitely not worth $69. I am not a big fan of JCrew's dresses. RL or Ann Taylor's are way better. So I'll pass on this one.

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  24. I actually bought this dress 2 weeks ago. It was cute in the fitting room, and even though I knew it was extremely overpriced for a cotton dress, I'm a tough fit, so sometimes I'm less concerned with value, as long as something fits well. It wasn't until I got it home in different light that I realized how see through the skirt was! So back to the store it went last night. Told the SA that the reason for the return was that it was see through and she informed me, "well, it's supposed to be a beach cover-up, so that's why." It certainly hasn't been marketed as such, especially not in the email above. I told her that if that was the case, a $70 beach cover up is totally unacceptable.

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  25. New Without Box Tall Chalet Shearling Boots Size 7 Chocoalte $50 shipped

    EUC (worn once) Patent leather Mary Janes Winter 07-08 Size 7.5 Holiday Red $50 shipped

    EUC Boiled Wool Tivoli Boiled Woold Cardigan XS Amber Gray $50 shipped

    Paypal please

    tararoach at gmail dot com

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  26. J Crew and Banana Republic have the cutest casual dresses. They're just perfect for the summer.

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